Never a Dull Moment

Shae went down for a nap a few minutes ago. I sat down to take a breather and started laughing out-loud as I reviewed the morning. It went a little like this...

I wake up to Shae's "mom, come save me!" yell. I jump out of bed and run into her room. There, I find Shae AND Annie BOTH in the crib. I look to my left and see the "hand crafted" stairs that Annie has made which allowed her to climb into the crib. Shae is obviously feeling a bit too claustrophobic and it is time to get Annie out. I lift Annie and then pick up Shae. 

STINKY! Shae has a dirty diaper. As I'm changing her diaper, Annie is giving me a detailed description of what is taking place, including how stinky Shae is and how that is a "big no no!" In the mean time, I am trying to explain that it is ok for Shae to go to the bathroom in her diaper, because she is just a baby... blah, blah, blah. You know, the classic talk with a two-year-old, it only goes so far.

Time to take the dirty diaper to the outside garbage and it's snowing. As I am coming back inside Annie says, "Oh Mom! You have some nice white hair!" Thanks Ann... that's what this beloved snow will do to you. I am laughing at Annie's comment when I hear a crash and instant crying. Amazing how you can go from one extreme to another. Shae has pulled herself up to the bookshelf, then fell and hit her cheek on the corner of the entertainment center. Ouch.

I run over to her, pick her up, and hold her close. I will admit, I get a little teary eyed... It kills me when they are hurting. Annie comes over too and wants to give her a kiss better. We are all snuggling on my chair. Love these moments.

Shae has finally calmed down and it's time for breakfast. Annie climbs up into her booster chair and buckles herself up. Right as she is buckling the last buckle, I hear a nervous, "MOM! GET SHAE!!" I look up, only to find Shae gnawing away at Annie's barbie's hair. Side note - Annie is so good at keeping her things up higher so that Shae cannot reach them. Now that Shae is mobile and pulling herself up to EVERYTHING, Annie is having a harder time keeping things out of her reach. 

I rescue the Barbie, which is followed by Shae's yells. Annie then begins telling me the story about Baby Jesus (with the nativity sitting next to her) as I am finishing up her breakfast. Annie gobbles down her eggs and yogurt as I nurse Shae.

The next hour is spent playing with the kids, taking a few pictures, reading some books, and cleaning up the kitchen. Eventually, it is Shae's nap time. I put her in her crib and shut the door. About five minutes later I hear her yelling for me. Once I get in there, I find her standing up in her crib (typical) and waving at me as I enter. "Hi Shae, it's nap time". I lay her back down. This same process, including all of the waving, happens about four times until she finally falls asleep. Such a social baby.

So now, here I sit thinking about all that took place this morning. I really hope I don't take these moments for granted. I know, one day, I will be looking back at these days, wishing they were here again. So today, my goal is to embrace every cry, babble, tantrum, giggle, scream, and smile.

Here are a few pictures we took this morning...

 Notice the nice red mark on her cheek? Yep, that 's the kind of mark that the corner of the entertainment center will leave! Poor thing... it's all swollen and hot.

*RECENT ADDITION to our day - I have to add this...

Both of the girls take naps around 1:30 or 2:00 every afternoon. I put annie down around 1:45 and then I nursed Shae. After Shae was all fed, I brought her into her room to put her down for a nap as well, only to find Annie wrapped in all of Shae's blankets and in Shae's crib! Oh Annie, how do I deal with this without laughing... I put Annie back in her bed and Shae in the crib. Shae immediately stands up, bonks her head on her mobile and goes back down. 

The mobile is now off of the crib, Annie is in HER OWN bed, and Shae is still standing - attempting to get Annie's attention. Thank you Annie for pretending to be asleep.

Thanksgiving in Utah

 After three LONG weeks of waiting, we were finally able to meet precious, little Maci. We arrived Wednesday evening, just in time for Shaun's ordination. We are so proud of him! Love you Shauny Shaun!

The next day, Thanksgiving, was spent at Megan's place. I have to admit, I didn't do much of any cooking... My mom pretty much took over while we relaxed and held baby Maci :) Thanks mom!

 Annie, making her first gumdrop turkey...

 The finished turkey and pumpkin name tag... She was proud.

While I helped Annie with her turkey, Uncle Shaun hung out with Shae.

 Thanksgiving dinner was DELICIOUS! We all had VERY full tummies.

 The girls loved attacking and wrestling with Shaun. He was a good sport :)

 She's my happy girl.

 Megan was sweet enough to let Annie hold little Maci. Annie was in heaven.

BIG thanks to my dad who put us up in a hotel for four nights! The girls loved snuggling in one of the beds as they watched a show.

 Friday morning was spent swimming and taking naps. Later that evening, we went ice skating. Annie was even able to join us! Her skates were so cute and tiny :)

 I loved spending time with this boy.

 The ice skating gang (minus my dad, who was taking the picture)... Eventually, Annie was tired of skating and we pushed both of the girls around the rink in their stroller. 

After ice skating, we went to the movie, Puss in Boots. Annie loved it.

 The next day, a group of us went to Salt Lake to look at all of the temple square lights. It was BEAUTIFUL!

 I love this Christmas tree in the Joseph Smith building.

 My beautiful mom and sister...

 Little Ann loved seeing and pointing out the temple.

 I think Nathan and Shae look A LOT alike in this picture...

 Shae spent most of her time being held by Grandpa. She didn't want to be with anyone else! We would try and take her, give my dad a break, and she would instantly start whining and reaching back towards grandpa. It was hilarious.

 After admiring all of the temple lights, we went to In-N-Out for some greasy burgers. Yes, this was my first time! I was impressed.

The next day, Sunday, we went to Maci's baby blessing. Bart did a beautiful job. After church, we met up at Megan's club house to eat some sandwiches. It was so fun seeing family that we hadn't seen in over a year! Annie met her second cousin, Katie and followed her around ALL afternoon. She was very sad to leave her :(

 Ha! My mom and I wore the same sweater and didn't even plan it. Great minds think alike!

 From left to right - My beautiful cousins, Tara and Taryn; Grandma Hill, and Carmen.

My incredible sisters and baby Maci :)

I have so much to be Thankful for. 

First, Nathan and my sweet girls. They make my world go round and I feel more and more blessed every day I am with them. I am also very grateful for my extended family. Their love and support does not go unnoticed or unneeded. Another incredible blessing in my life is my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel so fortunate to know the truth and how it affects my family's life for the better.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks to everyone who made this week possible! Love you all.

The Jacks

 The day before Thanksgiving, we stopped in Burley for a few hours. Tiffany took our family pictures (she is amazing), and then we all went out to lunch.

After lunch we headed over to Kiwi Loco for some "healthy" dessert :)

It was so sweet seeing Annie and Veva interact... if only we lived closer!

Thanks for everything Jacks! We love and miss you dearly!!!

She may be a little fireball...

But I wouldn't want it any other way!

I love my Shae.

Grandpa Came to Visit!

Wednesday night, we had a last minute visit from one of Annie's favorite people and she has not stopped talking about it since. Thursday morning, Annie went on a walk with him in the snow.

 The rest of the day was spent playing and reading books with grandpa. He even babysat for me while I ran some errands... by myself! :) Thanks dad!!

 Once grandpa left, the kids were so emotional. I'm assuming it was because of their lack of sleep, the colds they are fighting, and Shae's teeth that will NOT come through. Annie was crying and Shae was yelling... it was loud. Eventually, I turned on a movie. That calmed Annie down, but not Shae! So, I whipped out the oral gel (not sure why I didn't think of this before). A few seconds after I put it on her little gums, she CRASHED.

Aww... Silence. They both were asleep by 7:00.

Eight Months Old

Only a month has gone by and our little Shae has already changed in so many ways, including a few bottom teeth that have just about poked through. Here are  a few things she enjoys doing:

Giving kisses

Crawling for a few minutes, then back to scooting on her tummy

Yelling when she is feeling left out or when there is a SLIGHT chance that Annie is about to bother her

Squealing with delight when Annie wrestles with her

Pulling hair

Rocking back and forth on her hands and knees

Swiping, scratching, and pinching... all in a very loving way :)

Bouncing in her bouncer or any other time she is standing

Playing with her ears

EATING

Pulling herself up and standing

She is still our little fireball and I LOVE it! 

Annie and Shae share a room and lately they have been waking each other up in the morning to start playing together. There is nothing sweeter than waking up to their squeals and giggles.

Another day spent in the snow...

Last Saturday we had another big snowfall. While it was sunny, Annie, Shae, and I spent some time outside. The snow was still not as sticky as we had hoped, but we did manage to build a minuscule snowman. Annie was proud.

 Shae came outside for a while too... She wasn't too happy being trapped in one place though, so eventually I took her inside and turned on Baby Einstein. It works like a charm, every time :)

 Nathan came home around 7. Annie decided to join him outside to "help" shovel the walkway. After they finished, they built another snowman... of coarse it towers over mine (but let's be honest, mine is better looking).

 They rolled around in the snow for a good half hour...

 They were both COMPLETELY covered in snow and frozen.

 Exhaustion set in and they finally decided to head inside.

Annie was out before she hit her pillow that night.

My Little Duck

We went to Sam's Club today.

Annie and Shae loved sitting by each other in the cart.

Tender Moment

Today I walked into the family room to find Annie kneeling down next to Shae, attempting to teach her to pray. Seeing my two girls strengthen and help each other is what makes motherhood so enjoyable for me. I am grateful for my life and all of the incredible blessings that my Heavenly Father has provided for me.

Our Day

Our mornings always seem to fly by. I usually spend it cleaning up from the day before, playing with the kids, dressing them, putting Shae down for her nap, and eating. Today was a typical morning for us.

Annie has inherited some old make up containers of mine and she loves pretending to put the "make up" on her face. She goes to the same space I do, sits in front of the mirror and imitates everything she has seen me do in relation to putting on my make up. Shae decided to join her today.

I love how intently Shae watches her big sister. The tongue sticking out definitely helps.

 Oh, and while Shae takes her nap, in the morning, Annie usually reads (she has been doing this for almost a year now). Most days she will clear out her entire bookshelf and read each one. I am surprised by how many books that she has memorized! Just shows how many times we have read each of those books... I think this upcoming Christmas, she is due for a few more :)

Our afternoons are usually spent taking more naps, on our walk, playing outside, making dinner, and waiting for the beloved time when Daddy gets home. I love being a mom!

In honor of the snow...

Annie wore her snowflake dress to church today.

Unfortunately, Shae and I stayed home. Poor Shae is teething and I'm feeling under-the-weather. Annie was excited to go to church with her daddy :)

Snow!

This morning we woke up to this lovely, white powder. We waited a few hours (hoping it would warm up just a tad) then couldn't stand it any longer! We pulled out our gear, zipped up our coats, and ran out into the snow. It was bliss ... definitely cold .... but still bliss ... ok we FROZE.

Ready... Set...

IT'S SNOWING!!!

We even had a few friends come out and join the fun!

I guess the kiddos were hungry... because they continuously shoved snow into their cold, little mouths. I still cannot understand why snow sounds so appetizing when it is already cold enough outside...

 Sadly, the snow was not sticky enough to make a snowman (like Annie has been wanting to do) but if I know Idaho well enough, and I think I do (insert sarcasm), there will be PLENTY of opportunities to make snowmen.

Oh... and don't tell anyone, but we have been playing Christmas music all week :)